Once a year my daughter and I travel to the Mississippi River Road about an hour away to go to the largest arts and crafts show in the area. We have been doing this annually for almost 20 years. My mom would make the trip with us but the last four years have been without her since she has the Alzehimers and is now in the nursing home. I do miss her doing things with us. Sigh

   I've posted a  picture of the plantation home here, I do hope it is showing up. It's a beautiful antibellum home with a history of ghost and hauntings. It's been featured in several movies and TV shows.  It is just one of many large wonderful homes on the River Road to tour.

  Today the weather was just perfect for the festival. I have to say I love going mainly because  I get to spend  quality one on one time with my daughter. The prices of things are really out of my reach to say the least. It's all beautifully handmade items that I would love to have in my home and around my yard, but still out of my price range. I do enjoy the food though, LOL. Some of the best Louisiana cooking around.

   If the picture isn't showing up you can go HERE for more information on it and several other area plantation homes. They are  a real treat.

So that was my Saturday. How is yours going? Thanks for visiting.

“We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us.” Romans 8:26

You know, we really don’t know what to pray for, do we? What if God had answered every prayer that you ever prayed? Just think who you’d be married to. Just think where you’d be living. Just think what you’d be doing.

God loves us so much that sometimes he gives us what we need and not what we ask for.

This was one of my devotional emails this morning and it really made me stop and think. The things that I wanted back then is not how my life is now. Thank you God for knowing me better than I know myself.

Today we remember all of those who have lost their lives
because of the Earthquake that struck Haiti. Let us remember;
The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.  In the eyes
of the foolish they seem to have died,   and their
departure was thought of as a disaster, their going
from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace.

    Therefore, today, I would like to dedicate this message in
remembrance of those who have lost their lives because of
that  tragedy.  I would also like to share a poem with you in
their honor.  A poem whose author remains unknown!

                                      I'M FREE

           Don't grieve for me for now I'm free,
           I'm following the path God laid for me.
           I took His hand when I heard Him call,
           I turned my back and left it all.

            I could not stay another day,
           To laugh, to love, to work or play.
           Tasks left undone must stay that way,
            I found that peace at the close of the day.

            If my parting has left a void,
            Then fill it with remembered joy.
            A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
            Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
           
            But be not burdened with times of sorrow,
            For I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
            My life's been full.  I've savored much,
            Good friends, good times and loved ones'
            touch.
           
            Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
            Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
            Lift up your hearts and share with me.
            God wanted me now.  He set me free!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL ON THE BLOGGER. I DO HOPE YOUR DAY IS FILLED WITH LAUGHTER, SMILES, HUGS, FAMILY, GOOD CHEER, AND CHRIST! AFTER ALL, HE IS THE REASON FOR  TODAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS AND THANK YOU FOR IT ALL...........KITTY

  I love reading Christian books of all kinds. I also love thrift stores and garage sales. So I've learned to put both loves together and I find these books for pennies. A win win situation.

  Not long ago I can across a book at a garage sale written by Max Lucado called "The Applause of Heaven".  I have several books written by this author so I picked this one up for my collection. Well this morning I was going through my  books because I want to donate some to the nursing home that my moms is in. They have a tiny area for books and figured they would enjoy some new ones.

   While flipping through the new M L book I can across a  note at the back of the book. You could tell the note was written by an elderly person. It read, as written:

Dear God        God has been so good to me. I can never repay him enough for what he has done for me. I will serve you oh Lord untill I can't serve you no more. Then I will serve you in heven. I do hope that will be soon. The nights are so lonely now and I know I'll be lonely no more when I go home to my Lord. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my cause. I have keept the faith. I was told I have served your will Lord. I thank you for letting me serve you. I love you Lord. All I ask is that you look over my children and bless them always. Keep them safe for me..........L Ordoyne

   Oh my, how sweet is that? It made me cry. I picture a poor older lady who has lost the love of her life and is now ready to go to Heaven to be with him. Ready to leave her children behind due to a broken and lonely heart. How sad is that.  I wish her family would have found the note and had not gotten  rid of the book. I know that I would keep anything in my mother's handwriting, expecially something like that.

Just thought I'd share this...........Kitty

I just had a thought. What if she didn't pass away and her family has placed into the same nursing home that mom is in? What if I bring the book there and she picks it up?

 Now It is important to remember that our many blessings are
from our Heavenly Father.  Therefore we should count our
many blessings and thank Him for them daily; Always giving thanks to God the Father
for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
( Ephesians 5:20 )

    Now the following words sums this up much better then I could!
They are the written words of an old song.  I hope that you will
enjoy it as much as I do.

                    DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER

                        I've never made a fortune
                        And its probably to late now,
                        But I don't worry about that much
                        I'm happy anyhow.

                        And as I go along life's way
                        I'm reaping better than I sow.
                        I'm drinking from my saucer
                        'Cause my cup has overflowed!

                        Haven't got a lot of riches
                        And sometimes the going's tough,
                        But I've got loving ones around me
                        And that makes me rich enough.

                        I thank God for His blessings
                        And the mercies He's bestowed.
                        I'm drinking from my saucer
                        'Cause my cup has overflowed!

                        Oh, I remember times when things went wrong
                        And my faith wore somewhat thin.
                        But all at once the dark clouds broke
                        And sun peeped through again.

                        So Lord, help me not to gripe
                        About the tough rows that I've hoed.
                        I'm drinking from my saucer
                        "Cause my cup has overflowed!

                        If God gives me strength and courage
                        When the way grows steep and rough,
                        I'll not ask for other blessings
                        I'm already blessed enough.

                        And may I never be too busy
                        To help others bear their loads,
                        Them I'll keep drinking from my saucer
                        'Cause my cup has overflowed!

                                 From a song written by: Michael Combs

Our newspaper put out a cute insert about the upcoming holidays. In the middle of it was a few holiday recipes. As I read through them I came across  this one. I though it was too cute and just had to share it.

                             Recipe for a Happy Marriage

1 large box of Love

2 cups of Friendship

2 cups of Conversation and Listening with Communication

2 cups Consideration and Cooperation

2 cups Flattery and Encouragement

2 cups Fun and Laughter

   Lovingly mix all ingredients and sprinkle in children. Flavor with recreation and happy memories. Sweeten with hugs and kisses. Remove any jealously, criticism, temper and grudge. Mix gently and serve with a generous portion of God in the center till death do you part.

Serving size -- equal portion for 2, plus kids.

I love this time of year. Autum is my favorite for sure. It brings cooler weather, and down here in south Louisiana anything below 90* is a blessing. It also brings fantastic colors, not much around here tho, but some. Our trees tend to stay green most of the year, but we do have a few that turn those  vibrant burst of awesomeness. And the smells, oh the smells. Around here on the sugar cane plantation when grinding starts the smells are wonderful. Some people don't fancy the smell, lol, but I do. They are cooking the sugar and the aroma just fills the air with the memories of my grandma baking something in the oven. To me anyway! LOL

So what scents say "Autum" to you?  It would have to be pumpkin, oranges, maple syrup, cinnamon, apple cider, things like that.

So what does it for you? What brings back those memories of your mom and grandma cooking in the kitchen on a cool fall day?

 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity
  under heaven:          ( Ecclesiastes 3:1 )

     I would like to share a poem with you about
  one of my favorite seasons!   I hope you will enjoy it!

                        Although I like September,
                        I feel a sadness, too,
                        As the summer days now dwindle
                        To just a precious few.
                        The corner play lot's empty
                        With a melancholy look;
                        The children have returned to school
                        With pencil, pad and book.
                        Songbirds are flying south again
                        Before the cold winds blow;
                        I marvel how our caring God
                        Tells them it's time to go.
                        The hills are tinged with red and gold,
                        Etched on Summer's green
                        And everywhere I look I see
                        A golden harvest scene.
                        A pumpkin in the garden patch
                        Lends a note of cheer,
                        Reminding us God sends bright gifts
                        Whatever time of year.
                        So I will greet September,
                        Put on my brightest shawl,
                        Be thankful for each season sent
                        As Summer turns to Fall.
                                                 Poet: Kay Hoffman

I have been blessed with this award three times and thanks to each of you who thought of me for it. I do have some trouble coping and pasting things to my blog so it took me a while to complete the requirements. But here it is. So the fact that I'm late with my nominations means Im only doing five, lol. I do hope that everyone at some point receives one.

1. Nancy at Scooter Mac Farms
2. Julie at Home Sweet Yukon
3. Sassyfras at Woven Thru Time
   
4. Roxanne at Blackwater River Ranch
   
5. Debbie at Meme is Back